Belgian party tables sharia law bill

Belgium’s People’s Party (PP) has announced it is tabling a bill before parliament to prohibit all associations demanding the application of “sharia law” in Belgium.

Statements by the leader of the Islam party in the press recently have shaken the political world in Belgium. Even though this party only has two municipal councillors, the reactions to his statements have increased. Some parties have expressed their willingness to table a law prohibiting political groupings which contravene Belgium’s fundamental values.

The PP proposal targets all associations which promote or recommend the application of “sharia law” in Belgium. The text also wishes to prohibit all associations or individuals teaching Islam in Belgium from receiving a donation of more than €250, unless the donor agrees beforehand. The document is not targeting any other religion or political movement.

At least 166 Walloon communes were affected by an exceptional drought between 1 May and 1 August, according to data from the Royal Meteorological Institute (IRM), Wallonia’s Minister of Agriculture, René Collin, disclosed on Monday.